What is the difference between K18 and Olaplex No.3?

• April 29 2022
• 5 min reading time

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Olaplex 3, our lifesaver… at least it always was. However, there is a new shining star on the market, and that is K18! It is said to be truly revolutionary; many women are already switching to K18 and leaving Olaplex 3 on the shelf. But is this so-called K18 really as good as they say? Does it really work better than Olaplex 3? Is this truly top-notch new technology? Is it really worth the money? Because let's be honest – Olaplex was already expensive, but K18 seems to be on a whole different level. It is costly, very costly. Today you will discover all the differences between K18 and Olaplex 3, and then you can decide for yourself if you think it’s worth trying K18 :) 

 

How does your hair get damaged?

When your hair strands get damaged, the keratin chains (polypeptide chains) weaken and break. These keratin chains form the inner structure of your hair strands. Your hair gets damaged by chemical treatments, heat, and so on. This damages the core structure, and thus your hair strand is affected. The result is that elasticity and strength are impaired, causing your hair strand to lose resilience and shine. 

It is actually the inner structure that forms your hair strands. You have a huge number of keratin chains; in fact, a single hair strand contains billions of keratin chains. When your hair is damaged by chemical treatments, heat, etc., the core structure of your hair strand is affected. The consequence is that elasticity and strength are impaired, and as a result, your hair strands lose resilience and shine.

Resilience and shine are exactly what we always talk about when we speak of healthy, radiant hair.

It looks strange and fuzzy, it is broken, dry, and actually, there is little you can do with it. 

The question now is, "How do K18 and Olaplex No.3 repair these damaged strands? And what is the difference in technology?"

 

You are about to discover the answer to this burning question!

 

Source - K18hair.com

 

What exactly does Olaplex 3 do for the hair?

Olaplex 3 is a worldwide bestseller that reduces hair breakage and visibly strengthens hair. As a result, damaged hair is improved, which you can see in the overall appearance and texture. Olaplex 3 ensures that your hair remains vital and strong between salon visits, so your hair is optimally prepared for the next chemical treatment. 

What Olaplex No. 3 does is repair the cortex. This means the outer part of your hair strand is restored. The disturbed disulfide bonds are reconnected. You can think of Olaplex as a large patch that makes your hair reasonably whole again. This gives your hair a boost, making it look vital and strong again.

Olaplex No.3 has discovered an eightfold patented, unique active ingredient called Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate. This active ingredient ensures that your hair is repaired from the root. It is an ideal addition to your weekly hair care routine.

The broken structure is rebuilt in the hair and does so without washing out. It also repairs daily hair damage caused by styling, heat, sunlight, brushing, and more.

 

What exactly does K18 do for the hair?

At K18’s headquarters, they were searching for a bio-active peptide that would permanently bond broken hair strands back together (simply put). So that a damaged hair strand is restored to its original, youthful state.

This peptide became the K18Peptide. This peptide penetrates deep into the innermost layers of the hair, much further than traditional repair treatments (like Olaplex 3).

This peptide has exactly the right size and makeup to fit into those broken keratin chains. They have essentially found the perfect puzzle piece that completes the puzzle! Of your hair, that is ;)

It turns out this peptide is an overachiever. When the peptides go to work and act as reconnections, disturbed disulfide bonds are simultaneously reformed. And that is exactly what Olaplex 3 is known for!

 

What about the K18Peptide and biomimetics?

The K18Peptide uses biomimetics. Simply put, this means learning from and imitating the natural process. As a result, the K18 bio-active peptide is recognized by the hair as natural. Moreover, it is NOT washed away by water or shampoo like traditional bonding agents. Very nice, naturally!

In other words, K18 is a true, lasting solution for damaged and fragile hair strands.

 

 

 

What are the differences between these two repair treatments?

Now that you know how both repair treatments work, you may have realized that Olaplex No. 3 repairs more on the surface, while K18 repairs the deepest part of a hair strand. That is a fundamental difference and certainly groundbreaking. This does not mean Olaplex No.3 does not work; both work. Because K18 repairs the innermost part, disturbed disulfide bonds are also automatically restored, which is what Olaplex No.3 is known for. So, the K18 product is actually like a two-in-one. However, if you look at what truly restores hair to its original state, you will definitely come to K18. 

The most damaged hair benefits greatly from K18; instead of cutting it off, you can now treat it! 

 

 

Is K18 really that much better than Olaplex 3?

If you look at the goal, which is "to fully restore the hair," then K18 is truly much better than Olaplex 3. This is not marketing talk; it really does what it promises. The reason many women and also hairdressers switch from Olaplex 3 to K18 is that Olaplex is now cheap compared to K18. However, with 10 years of research and the results, you can say that this high price is justified.

 

Is it expensive?

Yes. 

Is it worth it?

Absolutely! 

 

Tip - You can first try K18 affordably by ordering a small tube for a modest price. 

K18 is available in 5ml for a small price, which can be found here: K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask.